Konya, Mount Nemrut & Gobeklitepe Tour: 3 Days from Istanbul by Air

Konya, Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe in 3 days by air: the key facts

This group tour crosses central and southeastern Turkey in three days, flying out of Istanbul to Konya and back from Sanliurfa. Day 1 is Konya: the Mevlana Museum with Rumi's tomb, Alaeddin Mosque and Hill and the Karatay Madrasa. Day 2 is a long bus ride east to Adiyaman and sunset among the stone heads on the summit of Mount Nemrut. Day 3 is a morning at Gobeklitepe, the ancient temple site, then the flight back to Istanbul in the afternoon.

It suits travellers with a strong interest in history and archaeology who accept one very long travel day to see three major sites in a short time. The price is from $770 per person. Hotels with breakfast, a professional guide, round-trip airport transfers and the domestic flights are included. International flights to Istanbul are not.

How early does Day 1 start?

Very early. The flight to Konya leaves at 07:30, so the page says we collect you from your Istanbul hotel very early, or you can meet the guide at the airport. The page does not say which Istanbul airport is used, and that decides the pick-up time, so ask us to confirm it in writing. No Istanbul hotel is included before the tour. If you arrive in Turkey the day before, book your own room and send us the address.

How long is the bus ride to Adiyaman?

About 8 hours, according to the page. Day 2 starts with an early bus from Konya and reaches Adiyaman in the afternoon, then continues up to Mount Nemrut for sunset and back down to an Adiyaman hotel. That is a very long day. The page also says you have breakfast at a local restaurant when you arrive in Adiyaman, which does not fit an afternoon arrival. Ask us to confirm in writing when breakfast is served, whether the bus is a public coach or a tour vehicle, and what time you reach the hotel at night.

Can we visit Mount Nemrut all year?

No, not reliably. Snow closes the road to the summit in winter, and the date it reopens in spring changes from year to year. Hurriyet Daily News reported one season when the roads reopened in early April after heavy snow. If you plan to travel between late autumn and spring, ask us before you book whether the summit can be reached on your date and what the plan is if it cannot. Read our Mount Nemrut guide for more.

How hard is the walk at Mount Nemrut?

The page says you go up from the base of the mountain "on foot or by shuttle if one is running", so plan to walk. Expect uneven ground, and remember that you come down after sunset, in fading light. Wear hiking shoes or trainers with good grip and bring a torch or use your phone light. Nemrut is a high mountain and the summit can be cold and windy after dark, so pack a warm jacket, a hat and gloves. Our Mount Nemrut tour from Istanbul page has more on the visit.

What should we wear in Konya?

The Mevlana Museum holds the tomb of Rumi and is a place of prayer for many visitors, and Alaeddin Mosque is a working mosque. Both men and women should cover shoulders and knees. Women should bring a scarf for the mosque, and it is the safe choice for the tomb room too. You take off your shoes or cover them before entering. Long trousers or a long skirt work for all three days, with light layers for the day and warm ones for Nemrut. Our Konya destination guide describes the city.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast at the hotels in Konya and Adiyaman. The Day 1 text includes lunch at a local restaurant in Konya, with dishes such as etli ekmek or firin kebabi, and Day 2 mentions breakfast at a restaurant in Adiyaman. However, the inclusions list only "accommodations with breakfast", and the exclusions list only international flights, so it is not clear who pays for these meals or for any dinner. Ask us to confirm each meal in writing, and carry some cash for food on the road.

What is the timing on Day 3?

The page gives a clear schedule. You leave Adiyaman at 09:00 by private transfer, reach Gobeklitepe at 10:30 and leave at 12:00. You reach Sanliurfa at 13:00, fly at 15:00 and land in Istanbul around 16:30. Our representative then takes you to your Istanbul hotel or to the airport, and the tour ends there. If you have an international flight the same evening, leave plenty of time and tell us its details so we can check the connection. Our Gobeklitepe destination guide covers the site and the region.

Can we slow down or add nights?

Yes. The page lists one extra tour day for $115 and says extra nights can be added, though it does not give a price for them or say where the extra day goes. An extra night in Adiyaman would break up the long Day 2. There is also an Istanbul tour for $30. If you want Nemrut and Gobeklitepe without Konya, compare the 2-day Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe tour from Istanbul from $1,050. For a longer route with Cappadocia, see the 4-day Konya, Cappadocia, Nemrut and Gobeklitepe tour from $680.

How do I book the Konya, Nemrut and Gobeklitepe tour?

Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page and send it, or message us on WhatsApp. Tell us if you want the extra day or extra nights. We check both flights, the Nemrut road for your season and the hotels, then send you the full plan in writing, with the Istanbul airport, pick-up time, hotel names, the bus details and which meals are paid. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.